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Unit 3 of 5

Unit 3: Research Skills and Documentation

Study guide for CLEP CLEP College Composition — Unit 3: Research Skills and Documentation. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.

96

Practice Questions

18

Flashcards

6

Key Topics

Key Concepts to Study

source evaluation
MLA citation
paraphrase vs quote
plagiarism
annotated bibliography
synthesizing sources

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 96.

Q1EASY

Which of the following references would be most suitable for a research paper on the historical development of the English language?

A) The Oxford English Dictionary
B) A contemporary novel
C) A collection of modern poetry
D) A language learning textbook
E) A style guide for journalists
Show Answer

Answer: A — The Oxford English Dictionary is a comprehensive and authoritative reference work that traces the history and development of the English language, making it the most suitable choice for a research paper on this topic.

Q2MEDIUM

Which of the following is the correct MLA works-cited entry for a book with one author?

A) Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City: Publisher, Year.
B) Firstname Lastname. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
C) Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Year. Publisher.
D) Firstname, Lastname. Title of Book. City, Publisher: Year.
E) Title of Book. Firstname Lastname. City: Publisher, Year.
Show Answer

Answer: A — In MLA format, the works-cited entry for a book with one author should list the author's last name first, followed by a comma, then the first name, then a period, the title of the book in title case, a period, the city of publication, a colon, the publisher, a comma, and the year of publication.

Q3MEDIUM

What type of source is documented by the citation (Doe, J. (2022). Article Title. Journal Name, 10(2), 12-20. doi:10.1037/journalname)?

A) Book
B) Journal article
C) Conference paper
D) Website
E) Newspaper editorial
Show Answer

Answer: B — Journal article is correct because it includes a DOI, volume, and issue number, indicating a journal article. Most-tempting distractor A is wrong due to presence of a DOI and journal title.

Q4EASY

In an essay about the importance of preserving natural habitats, a writer wishes to incorporate the following quotation from a prominent environmentalist: 'The loss of biodiversity will have catastrophic consequences for our planet.' To integrate this quotation most effectively, the writer should

A) introduce the quotation with a signal phrase, such as 'According to a prominent environmentalist, 'The loss of biodiversity will have catastrophic consequences for our planet,'' and then provide a sentence that paraphrases the quotation's meaning
B) place the quotation at the beginning of the paragraph, without introduction or explanation, to grab the reader's attention
C) use the quotation as a concluding sentence, to leave the reader with a lasting impression
D) paraphrase the quotation in the writer's own words, without including the original phrase, to avoid plagiarism
E) surround the quotation with brief summaries of other experts' opinions, to create a sense of balance
Show Answer

Answer: A — This option is correct because it demonstrates how to effectively integrate a quotation by introducing it with a signal phrase and then providing a paraphrased explanation of the quotation's meaning, which helps to clarify the writer's point and show their understanding of the source material.

Q5MEDIUM

For a research paper on the impact of social media on society, which source would be most relevant?

A) A book on social media marketing
B) A study on the psychological effects of social media
C) A news article on a recent social media trend
D) A social media post by a influencer
E) A documentary film on the history of the internet
Show Answer

Answer: B — A study on the psychological effects of social media is correct because the study is directly relevant to the topic.

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Study Tips for Unit 3: Research Skills and Documentation

  • Focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing facts — CLEP tests application
  • Practice with timed questions to build exam-day speed
  • Review explanations for wrong answers — they reveal common misconceptions
  • Use flashcards for key terms, practice questions for deeper understanding

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